EXHIBITIONS

Current Exhibitions

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is a leading regional museum of contemporary art. As one of only nine museums in the state of New Jersey accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, our community-oriented exhibitions are viewed by 30,000+ visitors each year and feature artistically and culturally diverse artworks.

Through our powerful contemporary art exhibitions, the Art Center:

• is committed to collaborating with professional artists, especially those who are underrecognized and overlooked in larger mainstream institutions;
• endeavors to be a dramatic catalyst for emerging and mid-career artists—providing a pivotal experience that encourages reflection on their artistic practices, increases the visibility of their artwork to our diverse audiences, and drives new ideas;
• showcases a diverse range of artistic practices and artistic movements in an effort to provide audiences with broad exposure to contemporary art; and
• embraces curatorial approaches informed by social and environmental justice and other concepts connected to the transformational power of art.

The Garden State

June 22–August 25, 2025
Abraham Browning coined New Jersey’s nickname, the Garden State, in August 1876. In 1954, the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill to add “The Garden State” to the state’s license plates despite the governor’s veto. Today, New Jersey has a vast reputation for its agriculture and industrial spirit. This exhibition, featuring works by members of the NJ Photography Forum asks “What does the Garden State mean to you?”